Send a Child to School in Guatemala

Help a child in Guatemala attend school and work towards a better future.

Guatemala has one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America, with more than 75% of the population living below the poverty line. In rural and indigenous populations, that figure is up to 93%. Although education is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty, few families are able to afford to send their children to school.

Fundación Tradiciones Mayas (FTM) has worked since 1992 with women artisans and their families in remote, rural Guatemala. FTM promotes and preserves the ancient art of back strap weaving with 85 artisans in six cooperative groups, and has a long term commitment to the artisans and their children, including access to health care, business development for the artisans, and scholarships for their children.

FTM is supporting a total of 125 students with scholarships. The students are from the six communities where FTM artisans reside: Chuacruz, Chirijox, San Juan La Laguna, Santa Clara La Laguna, Patanatic and Solola.

Your donation of just $17.00 through this Gift That Gives More™ goes a long way, covering a year of primary education (including school fees, transportation, and supplies), a month of education at the junior high level, or helping subsidize the expense of a year of senior high school.

Report from the Field

Updates, September 2011:
"Your donations helped over one hundred students with direct scholarships. That is a fantastic achievement. We cannot thank you enough for helping to raise awareness for the plight of the indigenous communities in Guatemala and beyond." ~Elisabeth Nicholson, Director, Maya Educational Foundation

"2011 is the 15th year that FTM is able to offer scholarships to the children of the women artisans with whom we work. With the support of institutional and individual donors, we are proud to be able to continue to invest in the personal and professional development of indigenous children and youth." ~Marcelle Renkin, Fundación Tradiciones Mayas

Fundación Tradiciones Mayas (FTM) works with women artisans and their families in economically poor and culturally intact communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Committed to promoting and preserving the ancient art of back strap weaving, FTM also strives to offer economic support to all school-aged children of the artisans with the goal that they become thoughtful, analytical and creative community leaders.

Free Standard Shipping in the U.S. on your entire cart when you donate $15.00 or more in our Gift That Gives More™ program. See Current Promotions for details.

Why a Gift That Gives More™ is a smart, effective donation.

100% of your donation will go to the program described above as a grant through GreaterGood.org. GreaterGood stores do not receive any profit from donations through this Gift That Gives More™; we bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good. We even pay the credit card transaction fee, so every cent of your donation goes to charity.

Please note: A free downloadable certificate is available to print for easy gift giving for any non-disaster related Gift That Gives More™. The "gift message" field during check-out does not apply to your Gift That Gives More™ certificate.

Your donation is 100% tax-deductible in the U.S.A.

You will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.